Murtilla plant named ‘Red Pearl—INIA’

ABSTRACT

‘Red Pearl—INIA’ is a new variety of murtilla plant, characterized by intense red berries having excellent flavor, appearance, and shipping and storage qualities.

Genus and species: Ugni molinae Turcz. (syn. Myrtus ugni).

Variety denomination: Red Pearl—INIA

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The murtilla plant, also known as “Chilean guava” or “u{umlaut over (n)}i,” is native to Southern Chile. Fruit of the murtilla plant is used for fresh consumption, as well as for processing into jellies, syrups, desserts, and liqueurs. Until recently, commercially harvested murtilla fruit was obtained from wild murtilla plants, as there were no known, cultivated murtilla plants having the specific characteristics desireable for commercial production.

In 1996, a research project was initiated to domesticate murtilla and develop selections suitable for commercial production. The research project involved the creation of a murtilla gene bank, the first such collection in Chile, as well as the study of suitable reproduction techniques; phenotypic characterization of the germplasm collection; evaluation of the chemical characteristics of the fruit; molecular characterization of the fruit; reproductive studies; agronomic evaluations; development of agronomic management guides; identification and development of new varieties; and economic and commercial studies. As a result of the murtilla research project, several new varieties of murtilla plant were identified and selected for advancement and commercialization.

‘Red Pearl—INIA’ is a new variety of murtilla plant developed-through a murtilla research project. In 1996, germplasm samples were obtained from 103 murtilla plants at 36 collection sites in southern Chile. These samples were then cultivated at a testing facility in Chile for observation and testing as described above. After extensive evaluation and successive asexual propagations through rooted cuttings at the testing and elevaluation facilities at, Carillanca, Temuco, Chile, ‘Red Pearl—INIA’ was identified by the inventors as having characteristics that distinguish it from other murtilla plants, and make it particularly suitable for commercial production. The observed plant retains its distinctive characteristics and reproduces true to type in successive generations.

‘Red Pearl—INIA’ is distinguishable from wild murtilla and from its sister plant (‘South Pearl—INIA’, application Ser. No. 12/077,727). Table 1 sets forth some of the distinguishing characteristics of ‘Red Pearl—INIA.’

TABLE 1 Comparison of ‘Red Pearl-INIA’ to ‘South Pearl-INIA’ and to wild murtilla Wild murtilla Red Pearl-INIA South Pearl-INIA (avg.) Skin Color Intense dark red Light Red Red Fruit Size 1.0 1.0 1.0 to 1.5 cm Harvest Yield 1.1 kg/plant 0.9 kg/plant 0.6 kg/plant

TABLE 2 Comparison of ‘Red Pearl-INIA’ to ‘South Pearl-INIA’ and to wild murtilla. Fruit yielding per plant (g) of ten genotypes of murtilla evaluated at Port Saavedra, Curaco, El Tirol and Huincacara localities, IX Region, and Corte Alto y Ensenada localities, X Region. Second Season. Genotypes/ Puerto El Huin- Corte varieties Saavedra Curaco Tirol cacara Alto Ensenada 14-4 73.7 g 164.0 g 71 g 30 g 21.1 g 11.8 g 16-2 40.2 g 50.5 g 58 g 19 g 3.8 g 19.0 g 17-2 33.7 g 131.7 g 99 g 25 g 13.1 g 11.9 g 18-1 100.4 g 98.7 g 70 g 29 g 11.4 g 8.9 g Red Pearl 409.8 g 115.5 g 112 g 47 g 38.2 g 33.4 g INIA 22-1 217.9 g 110.2 g 102 g 19 g 10.0 g 14.5 g 23-2 352.2 g 52.9 g 127 g 30 g 47.7 g 22.5 g South Pearl 463.9 g 111.6 g 140 g 42 g 23.8 g 21.3 g INIA 28-1 N/A 61.2 g 78 g 27 g 3.5 g N/A 33-5 127 g 101.2 g N/A N/A 14.9 g 14.9 g

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘Red Pearl—INIA’ is a new variety of murtilla plant, characterized by intense dark red berries having excellent flavor, appearance, and shipping and storage qualities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

FIG. 1 shows a four year old ‘Red Pearl—INIA’ murtilla plant; and

FIG. 2 shows the fruit of a four year old ‘Red Pearl—INIA’ murtilla plant.

The colors of this illustration may vary with lighting conditions and, therefore, color characteristics of this new variety should be determined with reference to the observations described herein, rather than from these illustrations alone.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed botanical description is primarily based on observations of three year old plants made during the 2005 growing season at a Research Center at Temuco, Chile. It should be understood that the characteristics described will vary somewhat depending upon cultural practices and climatic conditions, and can vary with location and season. Quantified measurements are expressed as an average of measurements taken from a number of individual plants of the new variety. The measurements of any individual plant, or any group of plants, of the new variety may vary from the stated average. Where color descriptions are provided, reference is made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general colors of ordinary siginificance are used.

-   Parentage:     -   -   Parents.—Unknown. -   Plant:     -   -   Type.—Evergreen shrub;         -   Growth habit.—Erect;         -   Height.—131 cm;         -   Diameter.—62 cm;         -   Internode length.—13 cm. -   Root development: Three months. -   Trunk: Diameter 6.37 mm at 1-2 cm above the ground. -   Branch color: Greyed-Orange 165A.

TABLE 3 Average Height Comparison of ‘Red Pearl-INIA’ to ‘South Pearl-INIA’ and to wild murtilla for two seasons in the location of Puerto Saavedra, Chile Second Season Third Season Genotypes 2005 2006 14-4  86.1 cm 102.1 cm 16-2  56.7 cm  60.7 cm 17-2 103.7 cm 115.5 cm 18-1  90.2 cm 111.2 cm ‘Red Pearl-INIA’ 114.7 cm 130.6 cm 22-1 111.9 cm 135.1 cm 23-2 111.7 cm 131.8 cm ‘South Pearl-INIA’ 117.2 cm 129.2 cm 28-1  66.7 cm  79.8 cm 33-5  99.8 cm 109.7 cm

-   Vigor: Average growth of 15.9 cm in one year in the location of     Puerto Saavedra, Chile. -   Bark color: Greyed-Orange 165A. -   Leaves:     -   -   Length.—16 mm.         -   Width.—11.88 mm.         -   Length to width ratio.—1:3.         -   Shape.—Deltoid.         -   Apex shape.—Aristulate.         -   Base shape.—Rounded, nearly sessile.         -   Arrangement.—Decussate.         -   Texture.—Smooth glabrous.         -   Color.—Upper surface — Green 139A; Lower Surface — Green             145B.         -   Vein color.—Yellow-Green 145B.         -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.         -   Petiole length.—Average length — 3 mm.         -   Petiole diameter.—1-1.5 mm.         -   Petiole color.—Yellow-Green 145B. -   Flowers:     -   -   Type.—Pentamerous; Solitary; Axillary; Long peduncle.         -   Petals.—Quantity per flower five; Apex shape rounded; Base             shape rounded; Average Length — 6-7 mm; Average Width of             Base 1-2 mm.-5 mm.-6 mm; Average Width of Apex — 1-2 mm;             Color top surface — Red-Purple 62D; Color bottom surface —             Red-Purple 62D.         -   Sepals.—Quantity per flower five.         -   Bloom period.—Bloom dates (calculated from planting date):             Start of blooming — 104 days; Full bloom — 154 days; End of             blooming — 168 days.         -   Color open flower.—Red-Purple 62D.         -   Diameter.—Diameter of flower bed — 5 mm-6 mm; Diameter of             fully open flower — 0.8-0.9 cm.         -   Flowers per cluster.—2.         -   Fragrance.—Softly sweet floral fragrance.         -   Reproductive organs.—Hermaphroditic with inferior ovary.         -   Anther length.—Length 1 mm.         -   Anther color.—Apical and lateral edges RHS Yellow-Orange             18B.         -   Vein color.—Red-Purple 68A continuing from the filament part             way through the anther.         -   Filament length.—Average length ranges from 0.5 mm to 2 mm.         -   Filament color.—Red-Purple 68A.         -   Style length.—Average length: 6-7 mm.         -   Style base color.—Red-Purple 68B.         -   Style apex color.—Yellow-White 158D.         -   Stigma shape.—Ensiformis.         -   Stigma length.—Average length 1 mm.         -   Stigma color.—Green-White 157A.         -   Pollination requirement.—Unknown. -   Fruit:     -   -   Quantity of seeds per fruit.—25.5.         -   Fruit shape.—Spherical.         -   Diameter (avg.).—1.0 cm (varies between about 0.9 cm and 1.1             cm, depending upon water and fertilizer application).         -   Fruit skin color.—Red 46B.         -   Fruit pulp color. —White 155B.         -   Seeds.—Greyed-Orange 166D.         -   Peduncle length.—12 mm.         -   Yield.—1,142 g/plant. -   Fruit analytical data:

Humidity (%) 76.23 Protein N × 6.25 (%) 1.08 Ashes (%) 0.83 Etereus Extract (%) 0.92 Fiber (%) 3.24 E.N.N. (%) 17.69 Pectin (%) 0.32 Total Sugar (sucrose) (%) 9.78 Reductors Sugar (glucosa) (%) 4.65 pH 3.19 Avg. Soluble Solids (° Brix) 16 (varies by growing region) Avg. Titratable Acidity (%) 2.2 (varies by growing region)

-   Pest and disease resistance/susceptibility: None noted to date. -   Hardiness: Resistance to cold temperatures. -   Storageability: ‘Red Pear—INIA’ has excellent storage capacity up to     28 days post-harvest. 

1. A new and distinct murtilla plant as shown and described herein. 